I'm bringing Cheyenne to the vet

[macawlover2]

Well whenever I talk to a bird owner at Petsmart and ask which vet they use, they 99% of the time say they go to Cedar Pet Clinic, which isn't too far away from my house. I've never tried it before, but I've heard the vet is awesome! So, I've decided to give it a try with Cheyenne!
I have spring break all this week, and I'm hoping to bring her in on Wednesday for a checkup (plus bloodwork) and to help with some issues. The main issue is her plucking problem, and eating her pin feathers.  :o Hopefully Dr. Bailey will have some ideas on how to stop that! She also sneezes a bit more than macaws should, but no discharge. This has been going on since January. Finally, I want to see if Dr. Bailey thinks she's overweight (you all remember what happened when I brought the birds to the Rapto Center :P ).
Wish us luck!! I guess this is kind of a "test" for the Cedar Pet Clinic to see if they're as good as I hear.

[BuffaloParrot]

Much luck! :)  You say this has been going on since Jan.  Maybe it is due to the fact you live in Minnesota, with the "furnace" heat, dry air etc..  This may be something you can bring up.  It very well may be the dry air causing some of this?  Try adding a little Red Palm Oil also.  This stuff does do wonders with this kinda thing.  Keep us updated on the visit ;) 

[macawlover2]

Yeah, I'm thinking it's due to the dry air as well. If only I lived in Florida!
Where do I get red palm oil? How do you use it?

[BuffaloParrot]

I use the "Jungle" brand.  It is very hard to find!  Luckily a supermarket here has it in their "organic" department.  You can get it online though.  About once a week I mix it in very well with our guys mush meal.  Loaded with natural Vit E and Carotene(Vit A).

[Debz]

Do you have a whole foods or a "hoidy toidy" organic store? They would have it.

[zimbasmom]

Good luck at the new vet try this web site: http://www.avitec.com/product-p/agl.htm
it sells RPO(and other good bird stuff) and this is the kind I have right now I like it because it is not too thick. I mix it with zimbas dinner so what ever warm food I am giving her which is usually some of what we had for dinner. It does not do well on cold fruit/veggies.

[macawlover2]

Thanks for the info guys! The only stores around us are the big Rainbow and Cub Foods stores. But since they're so big, they might have it... I'll have to check tomorrow before work.  :)

[sophiemae]

Good luck with trying out the new vet. Does Cheyenne eat the blood end of the pin feather or just the whole thing with no preference? I've caught Morghan pulling out a pin feather before and then focusing on the blood end. I have know idea why she did this and I haven't seen her do it since. Its almost as if it was bothering her and she didn't want to minerals and such in the blood to go to waste and put it right back into her body. It was really weird, once she was finished she left the rest of the feather alone.
Is RPO more for larger or parrots or for all parrots? It helps with skin correct?

[macawlover2]

I think RPO is ok for all birds. I just found this really good brand that Harrisons makes called "The Sunshine Factor".
Cheyenne eats the whole thing.  :o Poor girl, when I come home after she's plucked a feather out, I can see a little spot of dried blood where the pin used to be.  :'(

[Ditty]

I hope the visit goes well.  I have to say though even though she is still plucking, she looks amazing from what she used to!

[macawlover2]

That is true, ditty! Here's a picture from a few weeks after we got her (she looked even worse when she first came home):

This was when we were fostering her.

[Jadesmom]

What an improvement. You've done a great job with her.